Topo Athletic Specter 2 | Full Review

Robbe gives his thoughts on the Topo Athletic Specter 2, with a little help from Thomas as his sidekick. This shoe features a 37 mm stack in the heel with a 32 mm forefoot of full-on Pebax foam. Weighs 8.1 oz for a US M9. Available soon for $165.

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[jamon_ladron]

You sold me! Topo has become my favorite running shoe company as a wide foot boi/former Altra fanboy. No frills but well built and with solid tech. Wish they looked a bit better though

[MyFatAdaptedLife]

If the Specter 2 is a stacked Cyclone 2, then I'm all in. A lightweight, non-plated trainer/racer. Oh yeah!

[emilybarry]

MEGA Topo fan!!! Be waiting for this one!!!

[blaineshaw]

Pre-ordered and cannot wait to test these bad boys out!

[hufemeve]

TOPO is doing things right - It's the go-to alternative for Altra, as far as wide toe-box & natural foot shape geometry. I still have the Specter 1, which will likely be replaced by the year's end by its 2nd version.

[sethdbrown]

Lmao at the blown out calf comment, so true.

[nobushan]

Hope TOPO create a trail version of this shoes!

[SeeChadRun]

"Sleeper hits of 2023"... I agree (I also am testing this shoe out) however the shoe hasn't released yet. Regardless, the Specter 2 is a fun shoe that encourages and rewards all paces. It's a simple shoe that delivers exactly, and only what you need.

[kmshultz]

I get what Thomas is saying about that thicc platform—it looks funny—but the alternative is often a narrow, tippy heel which seems to be more common in these higher-stack tempo shoes. Thomas mentioned that tippiness in the recent First Thoughts on the Hoka Mach X 2. I have noticed it in the TYR Valkyrie Speedworks and the Atreyu Race Model. Many noticed it in the earlier Endorphin Speeds. (Maybe Saucony fixed that in more recent versions; I am sure Robbe's comparison of the Specter 2 to the ES4 is spot on.) So this Specter 2 should be a responsive, light, stable, almost-supertrainer option for those of us who loathe the tippy tippy. I'm gonna pick up the Specter 2 for sure, LOVED the Cyclone 2! Thanks for the review fellas.🏃‍♂

[LofotenDoc]

I’ve been running in Altra almost 10 years now and I’ve never felt stronger well into my 40’ies. No achilles problem, no bunions, no calf pain. Racing can be done in plated supershoes still with ease. Topo is a great variation from Altra but honestly the Cyclone 2 is bottoming out if you take them on more than a 5 miler and the previous Specter was so hard it’s only good for gym work or walking. Surely hope this is the real deal!

[ryan]

I've had this shoe for a while now. I recently ran my first marathon in it (3:45 finish), and it performed beautifully. Next marathon will be in a plated racer, but this one did quite well for a non-plated shoe. Now it's in my rotation for mostly speed and tempo workouts, but I've had it on many slow and long runs and it does well, no issues at all. I'll be curious if Topo ever comes out with a plated racer how that'll fare.

I also have a couple of their trail shoes which I also love. I'm definitely a Topo fan!

[runners_box]

I love Saucony ES4, so I'll definitely give those a try. Especially that they are non-plated - looking really nice! Thanks for the review 🙌

[wylelias]

regardless of how good the shoes are, it's always a wonder to me how well the foot shape fits my foot and I love it. Every other company I'm getting wides with horrible color ways :(

[edwardcreighton]

Have Cyclone 2, like a baby Speed 3 without the plate. Like the wider toe box. Topo widely available in Thailand but seem not to be a success. Great review.

[edwarding]

I have 9mm drop.Addidaa, topo 5 mm drop, Altra 4mm drop, and Altra 0 drop. I used to be full 0mm drop, but I am.open though I still appreciate 0mm drop the most. And I am learning to run in highly rockered shoes and toe-spring

[peakproofuk]

Did thomas roll his eyes at shoes shaped like healthy feet?! ;-)

[Maochan]

The stack and drop reminds me of mach 6, which i love. How does it compare?
I use Altra's for hikes, love the foot shape.

[McMeatBag]

I wish more companies would make foot shaped shoes that have even more drop. My calves can't take low drop, but the traditional pointy shoe shape messes up my feet.

[argeelearner]

How does it compare to the Asics Nimbus? or Superblast?

[cookinginpawleys]

My concern with the Cyclone 2 was the midfoot was too narrow. I hope this has a straighter last more similar to the Ultrafly line.